Renowned Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Yogpeeth on Friday celebrated the 10th International Yoga Day at its Haridwar base in Uttarakhand.

The Yoga Day event at Patanjali Yogpeeth was held under the guidance of Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balakrishna with a theme – “Yoga for self, society and the universe”.

During the event, Swami Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna underscored yoga’s transformative impact on individuals and society.

Baba Ramdev emphasised that Yoga is not just a physical exercise but a universal practice vital in the current era.

“Yoga is a holistic approach that can address many of today’s health issues, both physical and mental,” he noted.

He said that Yoga has proved helpful in reversing several diseases, including those considered untreatable ones.

“What the modern medical system and the governments of the world could not achieve, has been accomplished by a monk through Patanjali with Yoga rooted in Sanatan Dharma. Through Yoga and the Yoga-based integrated treatment system, diseases considered incurable, such as those affecting the liver, kidneys, lungs, and heart, can be reversed and eradicated from the root,” Baba Ramdev said.

He said that a life integrated with yoga is the solution to the ideological, political, and economic struggles and challenges faced globally. Yoga brings about mental and ideological transformation, turning individuals into part of the solution rather than the problem.

“Here today, hundreds of people are present as real-world evidence who have benefited from Yoga in overcoming incurable diseases such as cancer, liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, infertility, and heart blockages. In medical terminology, these are the brothers and sisters who have created world records and made the impossible possible. The results achieved through the practice of Yoga have now become proof of its efficacy,” the Yoga Guru added.

Baba Ramdev also conducted practices including yogic jogging, Surya Namaskar, and breathing exercises such as Anulom-Vilom, Bhastrika, Bhramari, and Kapalbhati. Additionally, various asanas (yoga postures) like Bhujangasana, Vrikshasana, Tadasana, Mandukasana, Shalabhasana, Gomukhasana, Vajrasana, and meditation were also practiced.

Acharya Balkrishna described Yoga as India’s greatest gift to the world, stating, “Yoga is the supreme remedy for all human and global ailments.”

“Yoga is a way of life and a method for life transformation. On this auspicious occasion of Yoga Day, we have seen this transformation as real-world evidence. When these patients can become healthy, it should inspire you to believe that if others can heal through Yoga, so can you. Thousands of brothers and sisters have proven through clinical trials that incurable diseases can be conquered with Yoga.”

He noted that the number of patients worldwide is increasing daily, and yoga is the only solution.

“Our scientific ‘rishis’, who follow the Sanatan Vedic tradition, have connected us with the practice of Yoga. Yoga is not a doctrine, sect, or religion. It is a universal, scientific, and beneficial discipline free from the constraints of caste, religion, and politics,” Balakrishna said.

Highlighting the widespread benefits observed through regular Yoga practice, including improved mental health, environmental awareness, and a balanced lifestyle, Balakrishna emphasised the role of Swami Ramdev for awakening public consciousness by bringing the knowledge and tradition of yoga from the ‘rishis’ to the masses in the modern era.

The programme saw participation from many individuals suffering from various incurable diseases such as blood cancer, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, infertility, SLE, type 1 and 2 diabetes, pelvic cancer, kidney disease, MS, prostate cancer, heart blockages, obesity, ovarian cysts, and eye diseases.

People from around 200 nearby villages also participated in the Patanjali Yogpeeth’s Yoga Day programme and performed various asanas.

Therapists from Patanjali Wellness demonstrated various therapies, including Panchakarma, Shatkarmas, and naturopathy. Students from Patanjali Gurukulam and Acharyakulam showcased different yoga postures, Mallakhamb yoga, rope yoga, and Taekwondo.

The event was attended by Sadhvi Devpriya, the chief central in-charge of the Patanjali Mahila Yoga Committee, Brother Rakesh ‘Bharat’, Swami Parmarthdev, sister Anshul, head of the Communication Department sister Parul, Dr. Anurag Varshney, chief scientist of PRI, Brigadier T C Malhotra, chief general manager (trust), Mr Tarun Rajput, head of human resources, Prof. Anil Yadav, principal of Patanjali Ayurveda College, Dr Arun Pandey, deputy superintendent of Patanjali Ayurveda Hospital, Swami Bajrangdev, Swami Arshdev, Swami Eshdev, and all unit heads, officers of Patanjali Yogpeeth, and monks and ‘Sashavis’ from Patanjali Sannyasashram.